The Covington Food Bank is asking for food and monetary donations after the demand for food from north shore families more than doubled in the summer and continues to rise. The food bank, which serves St. Tammany, Washington and Tangipahoa Parishes, is distributing more than 9,000 pounds of food three days a week—a record amount—to families in need, Executive Director Terri Turner-Marse said.

In July, Turner-Marse said the Covington Food Bank's registration doubled. The number of distributions increased from 1,200 per month to 1,450 per month, and the amount of food provided rose from 6,000 pounds to about 7,200 pounds per day, she said.

Demand has continued to rise throughout the year and the food bank is now distributing 9,000 pounds per day three days a week, she said.

“What we are experiencing is a sustained increase in need within the community we serve,” Turner-Marse said. “When we talk with new registrants at the time of application, we learn there are two primary reasons they come to the Food Bank for help: job loss or reduction in hours at work.”

Turner-Marse said the food bank also is seeing more employed people who were making ends meet, but now are struggling to pay their monthly bills and feed their families.

The Covington Food Bank accepts both food and monetary donations. A list of preferred food items can be found online at covingtonfoodbank.org. Donations can be made online, mailed to or dropped off at the food bank’s office, 840 N. Columbia St., in Covington.